Ireland's sole entrant in the 5.8 Mini Globe Race has reached Antigua in the Caribbean Islands.
Jakub Ziemkiewicz from Aghada in East Cork, sailing BIBI of Cork, finished tenth of the twelve sailors who left Lanzarote on January 11 on a race to qualify themselves to sail in the Mini Globe itself, by reaching Antigua in the 19-foot self-built plywood boats.
"I've never raced offshore before. My aim was to finish and not be last," he told Afloat from Antigua. "It was testing, but I'm learning more every day."
The mini boat solo sailors are resting up in Antigua until Sunday, February 23, when they will start the first leg of the full race. This is to Panama, where they will be lifted out and transported by road through the canalway from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean, then race via Tahiti and Tonga to Fiji.
"I'll be through there before President Trump threatens to take it over," Jakub said with a laugh. "There were very big seas on the way down from Lanzarote. I had a problem and damage to my headsail. I will be getting my sail repaired and preparing for the next leg to Panama."
Ireland's Jakub Ziemkiewicz (#185 BIBI) : The “Happy Pirate” was all smiles and brimming with excitement like a child on arrival. His dream of building a boat and crossing an ocean had finally come true. Now, he’s ready to take on the ultimate challenge: a circumnavigation. Photo: Don McIntyre / CG580T/ MGR2025
That is the first leg of the Mini Globe itself, which is 27,000 nautical miles in total.
The National Sailing Academy marina in Falmouth Harbour, Antigua, serves as the host for the fleet of ALMA Globe 580 yachts participating in the McIntyre MGR and Transat. Photo: Rob Havill / G580T/ MGR2025
Ireland's only entrant in the race says he is fulfilling his dream and is determined to continue in the race and "do better in every part of it." From Antigua, he told me about his first ocean racing experience after leaving Lanzarote.
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